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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Graduation by Angela Benson

Writing is definitely my passion, but I also have a passion for teaching. Earlier this month, one of my doctoral students, Kristi Garrett, became Dr. Kristi Garrett. The graduation ceremony is a special time for graduates and their families, but it does draw long since the time in the spotlight for any one graduate is pretty short.

Doctoral graduates have to be hooded so Kristi and I both had to walk across the stage. When they called her name, I walked on stage behind her, stood on a block about four-to-six inches high and draped her doctoral hood over her head. Since Kristi is a bit taller than me and she has big hair, she had to stoop a little so I could do my job. After she was hooded, we proceeded across the stage where we shook hands with the Dean of the Graduate School and the President of the University. The path back to our seats took Kristi by the official graduation photographer, where she had her official picture made. And that was it for me and Kristi. Then we sat and waited while over 1000 graduates and undergraduates experienced their time in the spotlight. Kristi and I took the selfie you see while we waited for the ceremony to end.

Our celebration didn't end with the ceremony though. Kristi (left) and two of her fellow graduates, Becky (right) and Veronica (middle), hosted a graduation luncheon at the conference center across the street from the coliseum where the graduation was held. So while Kristi stood in line to get her actual diploma (she only got the cover when she walked across the stage), I made the short walk to the conference center to join her family and friends in celebration.

It was a lovely event. The graduates went all out in decorating the room. There were three rectangular tables in front that were loaded with gifts and door prizes. Then there were about 15 round tables, each designated for immediate family, special guests or committee. As Kristi's advisor and dissertation director, I sat at the committee table with my colleagues, Dr. Wright (Becky's advisor) and Dr. Rice (Veronica's advisor), along with the other members of the three committees and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Having everyone seated at designated tables made it easy to meet folks. For example, I chatted quite a while with Kristi's mom and her two brothers and their families who were seated at the table designated for Kristi's immediate family.

Before lunch, the graduates hosted a short program where each one of them gave shared words of thanks and appreciation and presented gifts. In a touching moment each of them presented bound copies of their dissertations to their parents. You can imagine how proud and happy those parents were. I was surprised when they also presented tokens of appreciation to their advisors.

I'm not a touchy-feelly kind of person. Drs. Wright and Rice are known among the students in our program for being huggers while I'm the one who'll shake your hand. Well, when Kristi, and later, Veronica, called me to the front of the room and thanked me for supporting them throughout their doctoral program, I suddenly became a hugger. I remain surprised at how much the moment moved me. Students always thank you for supporting them but I've never taken the time to reflect on it until that moment. It was a bit overwhelming.

Chairing a student's dissertation committee has its ups and downs. At some point tension arises between the student and the faculty member. It's inevitable, but it's also worth it. Bonds are forged that will last a lifetime. I consider myself fortunate to know the three ladies who graduated and to have played a role in helping them achieving their dreams.

I feel about my students the way I feel about my readers. I'm amazed and humbled by the letters that tell how a story that I wrote encouraged somebody, gave them insight into a situation in their own lives, or just gave them a few hours of entertainment.

So, thanks to Kristi, Veronica and Becky, for allowing me to share in their lives over last four-plus years, and thanks to all the readers who have invited me and my stories into their lives. I appreciate you all!

Angela Benson is the award winning and bestselling author of
fourteen novels, two novellas and a non-fiction writing book.Her most recent book is Delilah’s Daughters (Avon, 2014).Her next book, The Summer of Me, will be released by Avon in August 2015.While you’re waiting for Angela’s new title,
be sure to check out her backlist recently released in eBook format.Join Angela on Facebook or her website.

I was awakened by the Facebook ding when Kristi tagged me to the post about this blog. My heart is so full right now and I'm literally in tears. The three graduates merely wanted to do something to spare family and friends from the restaurant hustle on that day...who knew it would turn into so much more. I am still receiving comments from folks about how they enjoyed the reception and how lovely it was. It was an amazing experience and I would do it all over again just to have that moment. I am so grateful for everything Drs. Benson, Rice, and Wright did to invest in my growth the past few years in the program. I only wish I could have done more for them on that day and I'm honored they were in attendance. Yes, we all know Dr Benson is not a hugger but she had to give it up on August 2nd lol. There was no way I was going to shake hands with a person who contributed to the completion of my milestone...that deserved a big embrace! Who knows...maybe the three of us worn her down :-) Love you!

Before entering the doctorate program, I researched the backgrounds of Drs. Benson, Rice, and Wright. I was thrilled to see 3 females in a technology field. On top of that, Dr. Benson's professional background and the lack of desire to hug was so similar to mine until I felt it was no coincidence; she was placed along my journey for a reason. I am happy that she enjoyed the luncheon, cause I really wasn't sure if faculty would want to be bothered with us any more after a long day at graduation. However, to my surprise Dr. Benson and the other committee members fit right in with everyone's family. Now we got to get her books on Broadway and the BIG screen so we all can fellowship again:-)